CVE-2004-0274 in Eggdrop IRC Bot
Summary
by MITRE
Share.mod in Eggheads Eggdrop IRC bot 1.6.10 through 1.6.15 can mistakenly assign STAT_OFFERED status to a bot that is not a sharebot, which allows remote attackers to use STAT_OFFERED to promote a bot to a sharebot and conduct unauthorized activities.
Once again VulDB remains the best source for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/08/2017
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2004-0274 resides within the Eggheads Eggdrop IRC bot software version 1.6.10 through 1.6.15, specifically within the share.mod module responsible for managing shared bot functionality. This flaw represents a critical authorization bypass that stems from improper validation of bot status assignments within the IRC network infrastructure. The vulnerability manifests when the system incorrectly assigns the STAT_OFFERED status to any bot regardless of its actual capabilities or intended role within the network.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves a flaw in the share.mod module's status checking mechanism where the system fails to properly verify whether a bot actually possesses the necessary sharebot capabilities before granting STAT_OFFERED status. This condition creates a scenario where remote attackers can exploit the system by manipulating the status assignment process to promote any arbitrary bot to a sharebot role. The vulnerability operates at the protocol level within the IRC communication framework, leveraging the trust relationships that exist between bots in shared network environments.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability enables attackers to conduct unauthorized activities by elevating the privileges of non-sharebot entities within the IRC network. The STAT_OFFERED status allows for specific administrative functions and access to shared resources that should only be available to legitimate sharebots. This privilege escalation capability can lead to complete compromise of the shared bot network, enabling attackers to manipulate channel operations, access restricted commands, and potentially gain control over multiple network participants.
The security implications extend beyond simple privilege escalation as this vulnerability directly violates fundamental principles of access control and network segmentation within IRC bot ecosystems. The flaw creates a pathway for attackers to exploit trust relationships and manipulate the bot network's operational integrity, potentially allowing for coordinated attacks across multiple channels or networks that rely on shared bot functionality. This vulnerability represents a classic example of insufficient input validation and improper privilege management within networked applications.
Mitigation strategies should focus on immediate patch application to versions beyond 1.6.15 where the vulnerability has been addressed through proper status validation mechanisms. Network administrators should implement additional monitoring of status assignment events within their IRC bot networks to detect anomalous behavior patterns. The fix typically involves strengthening the validation logic within share.mod to ensure that only legitimate sharebots can receive STAT_OFFERED status, implementing proper access controls, and establishing audit trails for all status modifications. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-284 (Improper Access Control) and can be mapped to ATT&CK techniques involving privilege escalation and unauthorized access to network resources.
The broader impact of this vulnerability extends to the security posture of IRC bot networks that rely on shared functionality, as it demonstrates how seemingly minor validation flaws can result in significant operational compromises. Organizations using Eggdrop software should conduct comprehensive security assessments of their IRC bot configurations and implement proper network segmentation to limit the potential impact of such vulnerabilities. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of proper input validation and access control mechanisms in distributed network applications, particularly those operating in trust-based environments where privilege escalation can have cascading effects across connected systems.